Paul Lambert's offer of resignation rejected by Norwich

Paul Lambert has offered his resignation as Norwich City manager but the club revealed that they have not accepted it.

Norwich this afternoon confirmed Lambert, who has been strongly linked with the vacant manager's post at Aston Villa, wanted to leave.

A statement read: "The club regrets to confirm that Paul Lambert has offered his resignation from his position as Norwich City manager.

"We have fought hard to keep Paul at Norwich and have not accepted his resignation whilst discussions with another club are taking place.

"However, whatever happens, we want to place on record our sincere gratitude for everything Paul has done for the club over the last three fantastic seasons."

Villa were set to open talks with the Scot today after reports he walked out on the East Anglian club last night.

The midlands club axed unpopular Alex McLeish at the end of the season after avoiding relegation from the Premier League by just two points.

American owner Randy Lerner initially targeted former Manchester United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but he opted to stay at Molde, in Norway, for family reasons before being formally offered the Villa post.

Villa also spoke with advisors of Wigan boss Roberto Martinez — who had initially rejected the chance to replace ailing Frenchman Gerard Houllier 12 months ago — at the same time as the Spaniard was in Miami for talks with Liverpool owner John W Henry about the vacant Anfield job.

Having lost out to Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers in the race to succeed Kenny Dalglish, Martinez appears ready to stay at Wigan, leaving Lambert in pole position to take over at Villa.

Norwich were desperate to keep the 42-year-old Scot after he led them to 12th place in the Premier League.

Officials were expecting Lambert to be targeted by Liverpool and Aston Villa during the closed season and recently told fans they had a “plan B” in place if he were to move on.

However, owner Delia Smith and her executives are believed to have dug their heels in yesterday, refusing to listen to Aston Villa’s offer, which enraged the former Celtic and Borussia Dortmund midfielder.

Earlier this month, however, Lambert slammed speculation he was ready to leave Norwich.

“I never said I’m leaving,” he said. “I’ve said I never know what’s going to happen tomorrow. I absolutely love it here. I’ve loved my time here,” he said.

“Because I don’t say much, people want to go on message boards, fuel things and make up absolute nonsense.”

Former Norwich winger Darren Huckerby feels the success Lambert brought to Carrow Road made it inevitable he would move on.

“It is all speculation at the minute, but there are too many people saying it for it not to be true,” he said.

“The Norwich board do not want to lose him but with his record and what he has done at Norwich, it looked like someone would poach him.

“Villa have got the potential to go pretty high up in the League when they get all of their players back.”

Birmingham manager Chris Hughton and Cardiff’s Malky Mackay, a former Norwich favourite, will be potential candidates to replace Lambert.

Meanwhile, Liverpool have still not sealed a deal for Rodgers despite the Northern Irishman telling the club he wants a move to Anfield.

Fenway Sports Group are reportedly stalling over compensation for the 39-year-old, who is poised to sign a three-year contract to replace former Anfield hero Kenny Dalglish in the hot-seat. Rodgers, like Lambert at Norwich, was an instant hit in his first season as a Premier League manager, guiding Swansea to 11th place and lauded for the team’s style of play.

However, former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson believes appointing Rodgers is a major gamble.

“He has done a great job at Swansea, everyone loves the way they play their football,” Lawrenson told the BBC.

“It’s a great appointment for him and the biggest gamble the club have taken in a long time. Liverpool supporters will give him a chance. They will give him time. But if they don’t look like finishing anywhere near top four, what do the owners do?

“Liverpool spent an awful lot of money last season, there’s no doubt they overspent. It’s a big job for Rodgers because he’ll be responsible for everything as there’s no director of football.”